The Station Wagon

Many of you will remember the predecessor of the SUV as the family friendly Station Wagon.  Many of us grew up in the back of one!  I remember going to the drive-in with my parents and falling asleep in the back of our station wagon in sleeping bags that my dad brought along for my sister and me.

Have you ever wondered where the term station wagon came from?  Well I did!  Back in the Old West, wagon trains, stagecoaches and trains were the basic modes of transportation for the masses.  Trains were by far the most comfortable and first choice for people whenever possible.  The city of Denver was a mere "wide spot in the road" until the mighty locomotive starting bringing people to town by the thousands. 

There were train stations throughout the west.  Once passengers arrived at a local train station, they had to find a way to get their trunks and luggage to their respective hotel.  As a courtesy, hotels would provide passenger buggy's with large cargo areas in the rear to carry their guests baggage.  So, what you had was a passenger buggy with a wagon in the back for luggage.  This wagon would make trips back and forth from the train station.  Thus, becoming known as the Station Wagon! 

With the invention of the horseless carriage (now known as the car) vehicles were built with a wagon in back to carry luggage (or kids) and the term Station Wagon remained intact.  So... now you know!